Recommend a media server...
Posted by: Gavin B on 17 October 2011
... to stream to my Panasonic TV please.
The TV is internet enabled. I've connected direct to the router to get Viera Connect - but there's very little of interest for me there (at least until they include catch-up TV services like the BBC iPlayer).
I'd like to stream ice hockey games from websites such as www.hockeystreams.com, or from the NHL GameCenter service. What would you recommend between the router and the TV?
Thanks
Gavin
Apple TV2 for ease or Boxee Box for connectivity and range of different formats.
Tog
Thanks Tog.
I don't think AppleTV can do 'external' websites can it - unles it is jailbroken.
The Boxee looks like it'd do the business. Have you used it? Is it easy to set up and use?
Gavin
I use the WD TV. It's used as a local media center because my broadband bandwidth is very poor here. It's cheap and PQ via HDMI is excellent. Totally stable too and very easy to use. There's a Live version that adds online media streaming plus a few other improvements. Probably well worth checking out because WD seem to have got these boxes well sorted, unlike most others.
Hi Richard
Thanks for the recomendation, it looks good but I'm not convinced it'll do what I want.
I think you're restricted to the online services it supports to deliver content from the internet, So, it does YouTube and music and films and news feeds, but I don't think it will allow me to go to an 'unsupported' site (such as those mentioned in my OP) and stream the contents.
The Boxee seems to suggest it can - but I'm not absolutely certain. I don't think the WD can - but I'd be delighted if you could tell me otherwise. The WD price is certainly more attractive than the Boxee.
Gavin
Hi Gavin
The Boxee Box will probably offer you what are looking for. It is quite flexible as you can add repositories/apps. If you want a really open solution you'd probably have to make your own boxee using the boxee software.
There are two points you should be aware of: The built-in fan of the Boxee Box is not loud, but audible, and the software still sometimes reacts slowly.
adca
Gavin,
I'm afraid I can't say for sure because I use the non-Live version. Just thought it might be worth a look because it seems to be one of the most stable devices out there. Plenty will do all kinds of tricks and tick all the feature boxes, but then just don't work well in the real world...
Another alternative might be a media server instead, that way you can play pretty much whatever you like from wherever you want on the internet.
Gavin,
I'm afraid I can't say for sure because I use the non-Live version. Just thought it might be worth a look because it seems to be one of the most stable devices out there. Plenty will do all kinds of tricks and tick all the feature boxes, but then just don't work well in the real world...
Another alternative might be a media server instead, that way you can play pretty much whatever you like from wherever you want on the internet.
richard did you check that the usb output has the current to run a 500 gb portable hard drive. iit runs and reads the folder very quickly. showing track lists etc. very handy when i dont want to fire up my ripnas etc the 5 is a good piece of kit feeding the ndac allan
Rich, the WD TV has no problems running any of the portable HDDs that I've attached to it via USB, although biggest so far has been a 320GB. Usually it has a pair of 1TB WD HDDs attached.
Even I am also also using mac mini..I must say it's great to use...It's features are amazing..Mac Mini can also be used for home theater applications..